BEST OF
Our Great American Rail-Trail Adventure
BY SHEVONNE AND PAT TRAVERS
In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail ® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route. We cycled over mountains and past deserts and farmland. We rode through cities and countless small towns. We crossed over or cycled along dozens of rivers. Whenever we needed help, someone always extended a hand. On Aug. 24, when we reached the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., we stood in silence, honoring our accomplishment and those whose foresight led to the creation of the Great American.
OHIO Amish Country Friends Holmes County Trail
IDAHO + MONTANA Just Follow the Tracks NorPac Trail
Learn more about the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail: greatamerican railtrail.org .
One of our favorite experiences actually took place toward the end of our trip. Thanks to a helpful stranger and the expertise and generosity of an Amish family in Glenmont, Ohio, what could have been an all-around disastrous day became one with unexpected treasures. We gained a better understanding of Amish culture, forged new friendships and were able to complete our journey on the Great American Rail-Trail. On a steep hill outside of Glenmont, Shevonne’s bicycle refused to shift, forcing her to push it for miles. This wasn’t the first time her bicycle had faltered, and she was in tears. A passerby took us to a local Amish- owned bicycle shop, whereupon the owner quickly identified the problem. “You need a new cassette, which I can replace. It isn’t the correct one, so cycling uphill might be challenging.” Given predicted thunderstorms, he invited us to camp there overnight. That evening and the following morning, we shared time together with him and his family— learning much about their customs. In turn, they were curious about how we happened to come to them that day. “It all began when a tree fell along our route on the Holmes County Trail, and we had to detour!” said Pat. (And what a lucky detour it was!) •
On the NorPac Trail, after cycling on the trail in Idaho to the top of Lookout Pass (elevation 4,710 feet) at the Idaho–Montana border, we were ready for 14 miles of coasting into Saltese, Montana. Inside the ski lodge at Lookout Pass, we asked an employee about the route down, which includes a section that travels through the Borax Tunnel. “The U.S. Forest Service closed the tunnel yesterday because it’s in danger of collapsing. Your only way down is to cycle on I-90,” she said. “I am not going to cycle the Interstate while semis thunder past me,” Shevonne said, to which the employee replied, “Well, then you’re stuck.” Another employee suggested we attempt to find the correct ATV trail shortcut (there were many) to guide us around the tunnel safely. We opted to give this plan a try. As we slowly cycled on the rock-strewn trail, a family of ATV riders, in full gear and helmets, appeared from the opposite direction. We flagged them down and asked if they went through the closed tunnel. “Oh, no,” they said. “We followed the tunnel detour through some other trails. Our tire tracks will still be vis - ible. Follow them and you will be fine.” And in the end, we were fine—and exhausted. •
PHOTO: Shevonne and Pat Travers at Lookout Pass on the NorPac Trail
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE AND OTHER TRAILS, CHECK OUT TRAILLINK.COM .
6
RAILS TO TRAILS FALL 2022
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker